Berlin blood

Albrecht walked along the corridors, not wanting to return to his office, where four folders with personal files on the comrades who had once saved his life were waiting for him. He asked for these cases as soon as he saw the lists of numerous prisoners. During the year that he stayed on the territory of the Soviet Union, Albrecht acquired good connections, and he was appointed to the position of inspector. Albrecht was an excellent interrogator, knew how to put pressure from a psychological point of view, and sometimes even he managed to crack through very tough nuts. He was paid well for his work, and Albrecht never felt like a traitor. He did not want to fight, despite the fact that his mother, who joined the party, became one of the leaders of the women’s concentration camp and always took Hitler’s side. She was a tough person who did not know how to give affection, care and love. Albrecht never knew his mother’s love, and spent most of his life with his paternal grandmother in the Czech Republic, who instilled in him a respectful attitude towards people and made his soul kind and open. Unfortunately, Albrecht did not remember his father. He died in his infancy. Albrecht had not heard anything about his mother, and he did not want to hear. She was not very interested in him from birth, practically pushing the care of her son onto her mother-in-law. And for this Albrecht was grateful to her. And now he had the burden of responsibility for four lives, the owners of which, each at different times, gave him the opportunity to continue his path. He’s been in debt four times, and now it’s time to pay up. Albrecht decided that he would think about everything tomorrow, but today he had an unbearable desire to drink. He completed his workday, as expected, and then went to a tavern, where today he was sure to meet a Russian acquaintance behind the bar. He was an immigrant who came to Germany a long time ago. Even before the coup in the Russian Empire. The journey to the tavern took him no more than ten minutes. Albrecht passed the main square, walked along the idle fountains, climbed the pavement, the stone tiles of which required urgent repair, and finally saw familiar doors, shabby in places. Pushing them, Albrecht found himself in a dim room. There were plenty of people in the tavern today, and the inspector was even surprised at such an influx in the middle of the week. Usually there were a lot of people here only on weekends. Obviously the German capitulation relaxed all the inhabitants. Albrecht ran his eyes around the hall, looking for Boris, and was not mistaken when he assumed that his friend would be sitting at the bar. Squeezing between tables with large groups behind them, Albrecht made it to the bar, and luckily for him, the seat next to Boris was empty. “Greetings,” said Albrecht, clapping Boris on the shoulder at the very moment when he took the glass and took a generous sip of amber beer. Boris shuddered and coughed, almost spitting out everything he had drunk. Albrecht grinned and sat down next to him while Boris came to his senses. Clearing his throat, the man looked displeasedly in Albrecht’s direction. “Idiot,” he grumbled. — Is it possible to scare people like that? What if I died? Albrecht grinned. — I would give you a luxurious funeral. Boris liked the joke and laughed. — What brings you here today? You prefer to spend such leisure time only on weekends. — Boris asked, taking another sip of beer. — Difficult day. I decided to relax a little. I hope I won’t interfere too much — No, what are you saying, how can you interfere? Shall we play chess or cards. — Yes, that’s not a bad idea. — Albrecht twitched the corners of his lips. — Bartender, pour me a beer. As soon as the bartender satisfied Albrecht’s order, Albrecht and Boris moved to the far table, where they spread out a batch of cards. “So, Albrecht,” Boris began when he threw the seven of hearts on the table, “tell me why your day was not a success today?” Albrecht hit the seven with the nine and replied: — I met my past. Boris raised his eyebrows in amazement. — Are we talking about a lady? “He asked, waiting for his opponent’s move. “If only about the lady,” Albrecht sighed. “We’re talking about those to whom I owe my life.” The six of diamonds was used, and Albrecht involuntarily compared himself with this number. —Are you talking about those warriors who helped you escape the German army in different years? Albrecht nodded, watching the jack of the cross land on the six. This means that Boris did not have cards of the diamond suit, in principle. Albrecht remembered this moment, but his thoughts still revolved around his comrades. — And what, exactly, did you meet everyone? — Everyone, Boris. “Oh,” Boris sighed, picking up the cards in his hands, “you got it, my friend.” “I got it,” Albrecht repeated after him. “I need to help all four of them.” And I still have no idea how to do this. The trials will be difficult. — Albrecht sighed and ran his hand through his hair, thinking which card would be used to beat off the jack of hearts. — Who speaks for the prosecution? — Siegfried May. Boris looked at Albrecht with sympathy. — Bad luck. He won’t give anyone a chance. — That’s it. — Albrecht sighed again. Siegfried May was famous for his toughness and the fact that he hated the Nazis with all his heart. Although he was German by nature, this did not make him more tolerant towards his own nation. Having lived his entire life in the Soviet Union, he was loyal to his country to the end and was ready to carry out all its instructions. And from these facts Albrecht was shrouded in confidence that Siegfried would judge everyone according to the same scenario. And Albrecht was not entirely happy with this. “Drink something stronger,” said Boris, “and go and rest.” You need a clear head to figure out how to save your friends. “Perhaps you’re right,” Albrecht finished his beer and decided to increase the strength with one shot of vodka, no more. — But before I leave, I would also like to beat you at chess. *** Albrecht met the dawn on the balcony with a cigarette in his mouth. He watched the sun slowly rise, illuminating the neighboring houses, and thought about the upcoming meetings. He thought about them all evening while he beat Boris at chess, he thought while he walked home, he thought while he brushed his teeth and went to bed. He needed weighty, strong arguments that these four soldiers were not guilty of their actions, that they committed them unintentionally, that they served their country in the same way as Soviet soldiers served. And he should also talk with Siegfried himself, find out his mood and his line of accusation in order to build his line of defense. Albrecht finished his cigarette and decided that he would go to work early today. The streets were still empty, and only a few passers-by, such as Albrecht, hurrying to work or walking their dogs, kept the inspector company on the sidewalk. He walked to work at a leisurely pace in half an hour, showed his documents at the checkpoint, received a key and went up to the second floor to his office. But as soon as he inserted the key into the door lock, a familiar, malicious voice with a hint of pride was heard behind him: — Albrecht, I didn’t know you came to work so early. “Albrecht pulled a mask of politeness over his face and turned over his shoulder to greet the owner of such a loud bass voice. Siegfried May slowly, with his characteristic pomposity, walked towards Albrecht. “Siegfried,” Albrecht said when May caught up with him, “good morning to you too.” I almost always come at this time, but what are you doing here so early? Even surprising. — Albrecht grinned, showing his positive attitude. Siegfried looked at him arrogantly. — I have a lot to do, if you remember. Courts and all that. — Siegrifd’s eyes sparkled. “I heard you persistently begged for several cases.” What,” he bared his teeth, “are your friends?” Albrecht tried to remain indifferent. — None of your business. — The inspector answered. Siegfried was amused by his answer. “I wanted to warn you that you are trying in vain, my dear colleague.” They have already been sentenced. The trial is just a formality. — We’ll see. It is unknown, Siegfried, how things might turn out. Perhaps,” Albrecht switched to a whisper, “your personal affairs will come to light.” “Albrecht knew he was bluffing. Siegfried May was too honest and faithful, but even if he had mistakes, no one knew about them. — Likewise. “And Siegfried knew that Albrecht had nothing criminal against him. Unlike Siegfried himself. He, if he wanted, would have discovered a lot of interesting things about any person. — Everyone has skeletons in their closet, Siegfried. — I locked mine with thousands of locks. But your friends have too much track record. Albrecht snorted. — And what do you intend to do with them? Siegfried shrugged. “I don’t know, maybe I’ll ask them to shoot or hang them.” They definitely deserve it. — He smiled disgustingly. — See you in court, Albrecht. — And Siegfried walked further along the corridor. Albrecht, opening the door to the office, thought that he would like to break all of Siegfried’s bones.